The 10 Best Beauty Trends of 2014

From slick hair to statement lips, the beauty trends that shaped 2014 may have originated on the runways—but it was fashion’s favorite It Brits, exquisitely low-key Parisiennes, and off-duty Victoria’s Secret models who took them for a street-ready spin (and the occasional stroll down the red carpet). Along the way, they inspired us to try a freshly cut set of Birkin bangs, experiment with a neon-bright lip color, or reach for the proverbial bleach. With the New Year ahead, we’ve already started shifting our sights toward the future—but first, here’s one last glance back at the beauty highlights of the last twelve months.

Short Stories

Arriving in myriad incarnations, 2014 saw the return of the bob. Jourdan Dunn embraced a chin-length crop, and Emma Stone traded in her bohemian waves for a cool new abbreviated length. Even Jennifer Lawrence masterfully grew out her boyish pixie into a surprisingly versatile surfer shag.

1 / 7

Photo: Getty Images

Candice Swanepoel

The Big Bang

The answer to the age-old should-I-get-bangs question was a resounding yes. From eyelash-grazing wisps to thick, tapered styles, 2014’s fringe obsession was enough to make Marianne Faithfull and Jane Birkin proud.

1 / 7

Photo: Getty Images

Candice Swanepoel

Bright Lipstick

Ranging from a straight-from-the-tube swipe of fuchsia to a bold hibiscus stain, statement lips were the split-second beauty upgrade of the year.

1 / 7

Photo: Getty Images

Candice Swanepoel

Bold Braids

From **Kendall Jenner’**s thick side-plait and **FKA twigs’**s constellation of cornrows to **Alexa Chung’**s schoolgirl pigtails, 2014 was the year of woven styles (and nimble fingers)—no matter what the hair length.

1 / 7

Photo: Getty Images

Candice Swanepoel

Major Midriffs

Crop tops and pencil skirts offered the demure answer to body-con dressing, with a subtly toned core emerging as an appealing alternative to rock-hard overworked abs.

1 / 7

Photo: Getty Images

Candice Swanepoel

Real-Girl Beauty

Who knew ditching your blow-dryer and forgetting about foundation could look this good? Thanks to the undone chic of It Parisiennes like Caroline de Maigret andLou Doillon—and a little help from the stateside normcore movement—2014 marked a shift toward clean skin, lived-in waves, and a perfect flesh-toned lipstick.

1 / 7

Photo: Getty Images

Candice Swanepoel

Hair Color Statements

The year started out with dramatic hair color transformations in shades of platinum and ginger—before eventually giving way to the unstoppable reign of the brunettes. After die-hard blondes like Aline Weber and Suki Waterhouse took the honey-brown plunge, fashion favorites like Elle Fanning and Cara Delevingne also followed their dark impulses.

Off-Duty Buns

Once best reserved for college all-nighters and lazy Saturdays, the messy bun became the definitive off-duty model look—and, for Karlie Kloss, a defining signature style.

1 / 7

Photo: Getty Images

Candice Swanepoel

Slick Hair

It’s a well-known fact that everyone looks better coming out of water—but this year, wet hair spilled from the beach onto the runways, red carpets, and the street: Razor-sharp parts, slicked-back styles, and shower-fresh waves weren’t just a warm-weather hair strategy, but a starkly glamorous look that lasted well into winter.